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HISTORY OF IXniA.

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Disputed

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A.D. 1200. obtain a IVccr circulation of ;iif, 'I'Iil- Gukkur consjiirators had tliu.s olttained a view of the interior so far fis to know the position of Shahab's private apart- ment. In the dead of tiie night they crept stealthily up tfj the tent door. H« was asleep, fanned by two slaves, and before any alarm could ha given they had done the bloody deed so effectually, that his lifeless body la,y pierced with twenty-two wounds.

This tragical termination of Shahab's eventful life took place on the 14th of March, 1206. His reign, including that of the joint sovereignty with hLs brother, lasted thirty-two years. The succession was disputed. The chiefs of Ghor claimed it for Baha-u-din, who was Shahab's cousin, and had been ap- pointed by him governor of Bainian; the vizier and officers of the Turkish mercenaries supported the claim of Shaliab's nepliew, the son of his brother Gheias-n-din. The claimants, however, had comparatively little interest in the decision, for Shahab's death was the signal for internal commotions, which were shortly followed by the dismemberment of his dominions. His nephew Mah- mood was indeed proclaimed king, and held a nominal supremacy; but the

Eidoz and real power was in the hands of two individuals — Eldoz at Ghuznee, and Eibuk, or, as he is often called, Kutb-u-din, in India. It is with the latter that we have now to do ; for vmder him India, dissevered from the governments beyond the Indus, assumed the form of a distinct and independent kingdom. As the first heads of this kingdom were originally slaves, their d3Tiasty is known as that of the Slave Kings.

CHAPTETl III.

Medieval India continued — The Slave Kings — Eibuk or Kutb-u-din — Altamsh — Sultana Eezia — Mogul irruptions into India — Gheias-u-din Bulbun — House of Khilji Jelal-u-din — Proceedings in tie Deccan — House of Toghlak — House of Lodi.

Eibiik or Kutb-u-din.

ijIBUK had been carried off in infancy, and was brought to Nishapoor, where a wealthy citizen purchased him, and spent some pains on his education. On the citizen's death, he was sold to a merchant, who presented him to Shahab-u-din. With the prince he became so great a favourite that he was taken into his confldence, and lived with him as a friend. His fidelity and military talents made him at once his royal master's most trusted and most successful general, and he was ultimately dignified with the title of Viceroy of India. In this character, he fixed his government at DeUii, which thus began the course of prosperity which it was destined to rmi under Mahometan nile. The longer.